In Focus: Kurds Take On ISIL In Syria10 pictures

Kurdish female troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in a forward operating base overlooking the frontline on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily...More

Kurdish female troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in a forward...Kurdish female troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in a forward operating base overlooking the frontline on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily Kurdish, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border and calling in airstrikes from U.S.-led coalition warplanes. The autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. The Rojava armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, are retaking territory which had earlier been captured much by ISIL from the Syrian regime.LessMore

A Kurdish female soldier from the Syrian Democratic Forces rests from frontline action at a forward operating base on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily...More

A Kurdish female soldier from the Syrian Democratic Forces rests from frontline...A Kurdish female soldier from the Syrian Democratic Forces rests from frontline action at a forward operating base on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily Kurdish, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border and calling in airstrikes from U.S.-led coalition warplanes. The autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. The Rojava armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, are retaking territory which had earlier been captured much by ISIL from the Syrian regime.LessMore

Local residents speak with a Kurdish soldier while an oil well burns in the distance on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition...More

Local residents speak with a Kurdish soldier while an oil well burns in the...Local residents speak with a Kurdish soldier while an oil well burns in the distance on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border. The predominantly Kurdish region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. Their armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, have been battling ISIL, who had earlier captured much of the region from the Syrian regime.LessMore

Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces head towards the frontline on November 9, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL...More

Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces head towards the frontline on November 9,...Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces head towards the frontline on November 9, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border. The predominantly Kurdish region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. Their mostly Kurdish armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, have been battling ISIL, who had earlier captured much of the region from the Syrian regime.LessMore

An airstrike by a U.S. led coaltion warplane explodes on an ISIL position on November 10, 2015 near the town of Hole, Rojava, Syria. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL...More

An airstrike by a U.S. led coaltion warplane explodes on an ISIL position on...An airstrike by a U.S. led coaltion warplane explodes on an ISIL position on November 10, 2015 near the town of Hole, Rojava, Syria. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border. The predominantly Kurdish region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. Their armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, have been battling ISIL, who had earlier captured much of the Kurdish region from the Syrian regime.LessMore

A woman speaks with an Arab member of the Syrian Democratic Forces after the village was liberated on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. A coalition of forces, primarily...More

A woman speaks with an Arab member of the Syrian Democratic Forces after the...A woman speaks with an Arab member of the Syrian Democratic Forces after the village was liberated on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. A coalition of forces, primarily Kurdish, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border and calling in airstrikes from U.S.-led coalition warplanes. The autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. The Rojava armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, are retaking territory which had earlier been captured much by ISIL from the Syrian regime.LessMore

Female Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces take up positions near the frontline on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are...More

Female Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces take up positions near the...Female Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces take up positions near the frontline on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border. The predominantly Kurdish region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. Their mostly Kurdish armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, have been battling ISIL, who had earlier captured much of the region from the Syrian regime.LessMore

Kurdish female soldiers from the Syrian Democratic Forces take a break from frontline action at a forward operating base on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces,...More

Kurdish female soldiers from the Syrian Democratic Forces take a break from...Kurdish female soldiers from the Syrian Democratic Forces take a break from frontline action at a forward operating base on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily Kurdish, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border and calling in airstrikes from U.S.-led coalition warplanes. The autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. The Rojava armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, are retaking territory which had earlier been captured much by ISIL from the Syrian regime.LessMore

Kurdish commanders from the Syrian Democratic Forces coordinate frontline troop movements with the help of a tablet on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily...More

Kurdish commanders from the Syrian Democratic Forces coordinate frontline troop...Kurdish commanders from the Syrian Democratic Forces coordinate frontline troop movements with the help of a tablet on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, primarily Kurdish, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border and calling in airstrikes from U.S.-led coaltion warplanes. The autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. The Rojava armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, are retaking territory which had earlier been captured much by ISIL from the Syrian regime.LessMore

Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces head to the frontline on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL...More

Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces head to the frontline on November 10, 2015...Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces head to the frontline on November 10, 2015 near the ISIL-held town of Hole in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab units, are attacking ISIL extremists in the area near the Iraqi border. The predominantly Kurdish region of Rojava in northern Syria has become a bulwark against the Islamic State. Their mostly Kurdish armed forces, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes and weapons, have been battling ISIL, who had earlier captured much of the region from the Syrian regime.LessMore